Highlights: Karnataka reports 523 new Covid-19 cases, 6 more deaths

Italy added 18,916 new Covid cases and 280 related deaths which took the total caseload to 2.91 million. The death toll of the country is at 97,507- which is the second highest in Europe and seventh highest globally.

Karnataka on Saturday added 523 fresh coronavirus disease cases and six more deaths which pushed the overall tally and death toll to 9,50,730 and 12,326 respectively. The number of recoveries have climbed to 932,747 while the active cases stand at 5,638.

Pune recorded 1,505 new Covid-19 cases and 13 deaths as the city's tally reached 4,03,453 cases and 9,235 deaths, reports ANI. Total recoveries reached 3,87,527 of which 1,087 were reported on Saturday.

Social distancing norms were flouted at the Sarojini Nagar market in Delhi, news agency ANI tweeted.

With 3,792 fresh Covid-19 cases and 18 deaths, Kerala's tally reached 10,56,149 cases and 4,182 deaths, reports ANI. Active caseload stands at 50,514 and 10,01,164 patients have recovered with 4,650 patients recovered in the last 24 hours.

Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted about the seven points advised to the states by the center on Saturday in a meeting between cabinet secretary and the state chief secretaries of the eight states mentioned.

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Punjab reported 595 new Covid-19 cases on Saturday, taking the tally 1,81,597 cases. Active cases stand at 4,436 and 1,71,336 patients have recovered from the disease so far, reports ANI.

Government shared a list of 20 co-morbid conditions that will prioritize people above 45 years of age to receive the Covid-19 vaccine in the second phase of the vaccination starting on March 1, reports ANI.

Andhra Pradesh recorded 118 new Covid-19 cases taking the tally to 8,89,799 cases. Death toll reached 7,169 patients and active cases stand at 667, reports ANI.

With 8,623 new Covid-19 cases and 51 fatalities, Maharashtra's Covid-19 tally reached 21,46,777 cases and 52,092 deaths. Recoveries in the state reached 20,20,951 patients with 3,638 patients on Saturday. The state government has so far tested 1,61,99,818 samples for the disease of which 87,289 were done on Saturday.

Mumbai reported 987 new Covid-19 cases and four deaths taking the city's tally to 3,24,866 cases and 11,471 deaths.

Delhi has recorded 243 new Covid-19 cases, 3 new deaths, taking the death toll to 10,909, reports PTI.

With 97 new Covid-19 cases and no new fatalities, Jammu and Kashmir's tally reached 1,26,383 cases and 1,956 deaths, reports PTI.

Jammu reported 24 new cases and Kashmir division reported 73, according to health officials.

Active caseload stands at 828 patients and 1,23,599 patients have recovered from the disease so far.

The price of the Covid-19 vaccine would be capped at ₹250 per dose, including ₹100 as service charge according to official sources, reports ANI.

Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has said that 77 per cent of healthcare workers have received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and 70 per cent have received the second dose, reports ANI.

Guatemala President Alejandro Giammattei thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar for India's supply of Covid-19 vaccines to the country. He said "India donated 2,00,000 doses that will help in immunizing frontline health workers," reports ANI.

Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba has asked states not to "let their guards down" in the fight against Covid-19 and has also asked them enforce Covid-19 appropriate behaviour and deal firmly with violations, reports ANI.

Lockdown in Maharashtra’s Amravati district has been extended by another week till March 8. Also, the lockdown has been extended in Akola, Akot and Murjitapur owing to increasing number of cases.

Officials, however, said that the situation will be reviewed by March 5 or 6 to check the progress.

New Zealand has announced a new lockdown in Auckland after a single case of Covid-19 was detected in the South Auckland community. The city would be moved to alert level 3, starting from 6am on Sunday.

FIR lodged by BMC health department at Vakola police station against three marriage halls last night for violation of Covid-19 guidelines - 200-300 people gathered and mask was not used: BMC

Eight states account for 62.75% of the cumulative second dose vaccinations in India. Cumulative vaccination at 14,242,547 in 292,312 sessions: Health ministry

Nine states/UTs have administered the first vaccine dose to less than 60% of the registered healthcare workers. 12 states/UTs reported vaccination coverage of more than 65% of the Frontline Workers: Health ministry

New clusters have emerged. We're surrounded by Kerala and Maharashtra where cases are rising. Most people coming from here are students, they've been tested and isolated: BBMP chief after 18 Covid-19 cases in Sambhram College of Management Sciences in Attur, Yelahanka zone, Bengaluru.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands' Covid-19 tally rises to 5,017 with one more person testing positive. Three active cases in UT currently with death toll unchanged at 62.

Arunachal Pradesh did not report any new Covid-19 case in over a week, while there are only three active cases in the state at present, an official said on Saturday. Infection tally at 16,836 including three active cases and 56 deaths.

In view of the recent Covid-19 spike, the Gujarat government has decided to extend the night curfew in four major cities of the state, including Ahmedabad, by another 15 days till March 15.